Breckenridge Texan

John Walker

John T. Walker was welcomed into Heaven’s arms on Friday, April 6, 2018. He was here with us for 87 years and passed peacefully at his Breckenridge, Texas, ranch surrounded by family.

Visitation will be Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Morehart Mortuary in Breckenridge, Texas, from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Sunday, April 8, 2018, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, followed by a Military graveside service in the Breckenridge Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.

John was born on May 10, 1930, in Stephens County, Texas, to Sullivan Ross Walker, Sr. and Cora Mary Clark Walker. He attended and graduated from Breckenridge High School in May 1949, where he cheered on the Breckenridge Buckaroos. He returned to his alma mater as a teacher for one year. He attended Tarleton State University from 1949-1951, where he was a member of The Purple Poo and ROTC. He then attended East Texas State University from 1951-1953 and was a member of the ROTC. He graduated ETSU with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. In 1953, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force to serve the nation he loved. He served as a Personnel Officer, Administrative Officer, and Squadron Commander. In 1953, he met Theresa Davis in Bainbridge, Georgia, while attending flight school, and they were joyfully married April 19, 1954, in Bainbridge, Georgia. In 1959, he became a father for the first time, and again in 1962. He served his country in Greenland, Germany, and England. In June 1965, he served as a member of the Air Training Commands Inspector General Staff after returning from Germany. In July 1966, he graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. June 1970-1973 he was assigned to Iraklion Air Station on the Isle of Crete as the Deputy Base Commander. He was the Attaché to the American Ambassador to Greece in Athens and briefed Congressmen, Cabinet Officers and Members of the Department of Defense. In June 1974, he retired from the United States Air Force as Lt. Col. from Goodfellow Airforce Base in San Angelo, Texas, after having served as the Base Deputy Commander and Base Inspector General.

After retirement, he moved to Breckenridge, Texas, where he worked as an insurance agent and was self-employed as a rancher on his Breckenridge ranch from 1974-1979. In 1980, he was employed as the Vice President of Citizens National Bank Breckenridge, where he served as a loan officer and auditor until retirement in June 1992. He was also on the Tax Appraisal Review Board. John was a very active member of his community. He served as President of the Rotary Club from 1982-1983, was named “The Paul Harris Fellow” twice, and initiated The Holiday Flag Program. He had a big heart for spreading the Good News and joined Gideon’s International in 1980 and remained an active member until he went to be with his Lord. He was an active member of the Central Texas Emmaus Community and served as a Community Lay Leader on the board in June 1998. In December 1988, he became a grandfather for the first time and was affectionately known as “Poppy” to his grandchildren. In 1990, he was the Drive Chairman of Breckenridge United Fund, and from 1993-2002 he was on the Stephens County Rural Water Board. He volunteered with his wife for Walker Sayle Chaplaincy Department for many years, was a member of the Community Bible Study and was Chairman of Breckenridge Blood Drive.